2019 Topps Inception - All the Dodger Cards

The Topps Inception brand can now officially be found on hobby shop shelves. There are only a handful of Dodgers' available -- including just three ballplayers in the base set and only two autographed insert cards. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#11 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 3/21/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic vintage pic taken by famed Baseball photographer Charles Conlon of the Brookyn Dodgers outfield, circa 1932-33. Featured are Johnny Frederick, Lefty O'Doul and Hack Wilson. It is currently available at Love of the Game Auctions.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1966 the Dodgers and Astros are the first Major League teams to play on artificial grass when they face each other for a spring training game in the Astrodome.
• Happy Birthday, Mysterious Walker, Bill Lamar, Jim Hughes, Tommy Davis & Carlos Monasterios!

Topps Living Set - #162 - Enrique "Kiké" Hernández

The first 2019 Topps Living Set card and ninth overall Dodger available for sale is super-utilityman Enrique "Kiké" Hernández. Go here to check it out and order.

I'm surprised that Kiké gets the honor of being the first of the year. I had figured they'd give the honor to a Hall of Famer like Koufax, or a ballplayer likely playing his last season in Dodger Blue -- like Rich Hill or Hyun-Jin Ryu. Nevertheless, I'll consider his selection to be a sign of good luck. Kiké's been on fire this spring, and I think we all hope that his hot hitting will extend into the regular season.

Blog Kiosk: 3/19/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Above is a spring pic I ran across featuring a bunch of Dodgers' in front of the Bear Mountain Inn in New York. As you know, during the wartime 40's the club spent their spring in upstate New York. Unfortunately, I do not know when the photo was taken and the only person I recognize is Leo Durocher -- he's the fellow in the middle wearing the white sweater and unbuttoned coat.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1998 the major league baseball owners approved the sale of the Dodgers to Rupert Murdoch's Fox Group. In 2018 Justin Turner suffered a major setback during spring training when he suffered a small non-displaced fracture of his left wrist after being hit by a pitch during Cactus League play by Oakland hurler Kendall Graveman. He would not require surgery.
• Happy Birthday, Ed McKeever, Roy Evans, Paul Powell, Jeff Hamilton, David Ross & Clayton Kershaw!

2019 Topps Opening Day - Dodger Insert Cards

Below is a look at most of the Dodger inserts found in packs of 2019 Opening Day. Go here to check out the base cards.

As you'll notice, several of the insert sets are basically photo variation cards that use the same base card design but puts in a unique photo. The one twist is that these cards are not short-printed. My favorite of which is they Clayton Kershaw 'Rally Time' card. As you'll see further down, that card not only featured Kershaw, but also includes Manny Machado, Matt Kemp and Chase Utley.

BTW, there are two Max Muncy autographed inserts available, but I have yet to see either.

Opening Day Relics

#ODR-CK Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 3/18/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Happy belated St. Patrick's Day!

Photo above of Hyun-Jin Ryu via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1958 famed clown Emmett Kelly, signed by the Dodgers to play the teams mascot in Brooklyn, announced that his contract had not been renewed to join the team in LA. The veteran circus performer believes the size of the Coliseum, the club's new home on the West Coast, is just "too big for one clown".
• Happy Birthday, Oscar Walker, Johnny Cooney, Gerónimo Berroa & Scott Podsednik!